ashbrown

<p>Thanks Rick, but it was little more than point-and-shoot. Like a National Geographic photographer once said, the main secret to impressive pix is "f/8 and <em>be</em> there!"</p>

<p>An unexpected but great view of Mt. Fuji from about 50km away:</p><div></div>

<p>Semi-frozen waterfall:</p><div></div>

<p>Hope that newly acquired FTb puts some demons to rest Alex...<br> A few shots from winter hiking:</p> <div></div>

<p>Bill, that's a beauty; a proud profile and razor sharp focus.</p>

<p>Jim, we can see the main snow zone, the melt zone below it (cris-crossed by various zig-zag climbing trails), then the russet brown colour of the volcanic shale around the bottom of the pic. Some dark grey clouds are also floating in the lower foreground. I've never been up to the top, but hope to one day...</p>

<p>Finally, a dam water inlet tower, western-style from early 20th century:</p><div></div>

<p>Next, a typical Japanesque paper umbrella:</p><div></div>

<p>Happy New Year to all, and happy shooting in 2015.<br> First up, Mt Fuji with cloud caps:</p><div></div>

<p>Great shot & crops, Bill - I think these are the best of your recent Moon series !</p>

<p>Hi Alex - you got some great autumn colours at the castle!<br> To rose garden #2:</p><div></div>

<p>To rose garden #1:</p><div></div>

<p>A few taken earlier last month before the maples turned and when roses were in bloom:</p><div></div>

<p>Not a door for the fainthearted:</p><div></div>

<p>No pumpkins here I'm afraid...!</p><div></div>

<p>Michael,<br> Thanks for the shots on an A7, nice to know it appears to work very well on that body, which maybe one day I'll be able to afford!<br> As Bill C says, it's not a lens I'll let go of either; sharpness, speed and colour balance I think are all great, and it's a useful zoom range if you only want to carry around 1 or 2 lenses on an outing. Only issue is lens flare...I used to have an adjustable rubber hood which folded back and forward in 3 stages for wide angle-telephoto, and was very useful.<br> I'm certainly envious of the price you paid too...mine cost nearly $300 here in Japan about 12 years ago when it was still a premium used item, but I haven't regretted it.<br> We look forward to seeing more of your shots in the Monthly Photos.</p>

<p>You seem to live in some kind of natural paradise, Bill; thanks for all the great shots you've been sharing with us!</p>

<p>Oshino Village near Mt. Fuji</p><div></div>

<p>Street Colours, Tokyo</p><div></div>

<p>Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo</p><div></div>

<p>My A-1, since it's the only body I have, and for lenses, my FD 20mm f2.8 and FDn 50mm f1.4 would be the absolute minimum for me.</p>